I’m excited to report that today I received an actual copy of the book. These uncorrected proofs are being sent to reviewers. Now I can read the book instead of manuscript pages while doing my proofreading. I have to review it for errors and write the index within the next two weeks. My sister Kayo […]
You can see the design of the book cover at http://www.press.uillinois.edu/covers/Diekman.jpg. The University of Illinois Press took a photo from the Michael Ochs archive and had it colored. Isn’t it a great cover? FARON YOUNG, FIFTY-ONE YEARS AGO: Faron recorded “Sweet Dreams” on April 27, 1956. Written and first recorded by Don Gibson, the song […]
This weekly newsletter will keep you posted on progress toward the September/October publication of Live Fast, Love Hard: The Faron Young Story by the University of Illinois Press. There won’t be a newsletter next week, because I’ll be in Nashville on a Marty Robbins research trip. FARON YOUNG, FORTY-NINE YEARS AGO: The successful hometown boy, […]
FARON YOUNG, TWENTY-ONE YEARS AGO: On March 26, 1986, Faron gave a deposition for his upcoming divorce trial. Hilda’s lawyer, Mac Robinson, asked, “Faron, hasn’t drinking been a substantial part of y’all’s problems?” Faron answered, “Drinking is a problem with anybody that drinks, Mac.” When Robinson asked if Faron sometimes was too drunk to perform […]
FARON YOUNG, FORTY-NINE YEARS AGO: In March 1958 Faron and Hilda made their first trip to Hawaii. Hubert Long arranged a ten-day tour of Oahu military bases for Ferlin Husky and Faron, with Patsy Cline as an opening act. Hubert tried to include the wives on tours whenever possible. He told Betty Husky and Hilda, […]
This weekly newsletter will keep you posted on progress toward a late September publication date of Live Fast, Love Hard: The Faron Young Story by the University of Illinois Press. The book is being marketed with Craig Havighurst’s Air Castle of the South: WSM and the Making of Music City. FARON YOUNG, THIRTY-THREE YEARS AGO: […]
FARON YOUNG, EIGHTEEN YEARS AGO: During a Nashville Now appearance on March 3, 1989, Faron described his plans to market a bird feeder his friend Bob Lowe had invented. The two had just returned from Greenville, North Carolina, where they set up a manufacturing agreement with the Empire Brush Company. Faron described the bird feeder […]
Faron was born 75 years ago this week, and today I’m thrilled to be able to publish the University of Illinois Press marketing blurb that describes his biography. You can find it below my signature block at the end of this newsletter. I’m also thrilled to announce the book should be in the stores by […]
Today I approved the marketing copy (which I was happy to learn I didn’t have to write) for advertising the book. It begins: “An intimate biography of honky-tonk great Faron Young.” FARON YOUNG, THIRTY-TWO YEARS AGO: On February 18, 1975, Faron played in his third Jackie Gleason Pro-Celebrity Golf Tournament at the Inverrary Country Club […]
The University of Illinois Press is publishing Live Fast, Love Hard: The Faron Young Story on its Fall 2007 list. I’m working on the index, and I’ve learned the book will be approximately 240 pages. FARON YOUNG, THIRTY-ONE YEARS AGO: Faron’s dad died February 10, 1976. His mother, Doris, had died in 1974, and when […]